INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE

Where the Program stands? – Georgia

Georgia's Forests

Georgia’s Forest Fund occupies just over three million hectares, while the area covered by forests is approximately 2.8 million hectares which is about 40% of the country’s territory.

ENPI FLEG Georgia

Work plan for Georgia includes the following sets of activities:

• Technical and analytical research;• Capacity building of state institutions and private companies;• Awareness raising, strengthening of communication and public involvement;• Regional/cross-country activities and various measures

AWARENESS RAISING, STRENGTHENING OF COMMUNICATION AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

Leaftet:

• Printed bilingual (English 500 copies, Georgian – 2 000 copies);

• Is being disseminated among various stakeholders;

Website:

• Currently the national website www.enpi-fleg.ge is up and running

THIS IS OUR NEW TEMPLATE

We are working on template and leaflet.

Your help is needed.

We are working on template and leaflet.

Your help is needed.

AWARENESS RAISING, STRENGTHENING OF COMMUNICATION AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

Newsletter:

• ENPI FLEG Electronic Newsletter (English, Georgian; two issues already prepared)

• Draft second newsletter is ready and waiting for approval;

• Serve list for it’s dissemination (through www.enpi-fleg.ge web-site), 200 users so far;

AWARENESS RAISING, STRENGTHENING OF COMMUNICATION AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

Draft second newsletter is ready and waiting for approval;

MEDIA ACTIVITIES

Media monitoring component:

• Started February 2010;

• Inception report submitted;

• media monitoring is being conducted;

• Database of journalists working on environmental field created (500 journalists);

MEDIA ACTIVITIES

Training in Environmental Civil Journalism:• Consisted of 2 parts: Civil Journalism and Forestry;

• Took place May 14-17 in Abastumani, West Georgia;

• Participants: journalists interested in/working on environmental field (forestry field was an asset);

• Results: 6 video clips, 7 blogs and 6 articles were created by journalists;

• The next steps include 6-month long monitoring of all blogs and selection of ”Best Green Blogger” by Fall 2010.

Media page

Media page – links to blogs of environmental journalists, photo gallery, TV clips online, forum etc.

STUDIES AND ASSESSMENTS

Study on “Current Forest Management Standards and Practices in Georgia” :

• Started in November 2009.

• Inception report submitted;

• Stakeholder discussions;

• The framework for the proposed

publication on forest harvesting

guideline elaborated;

STUDIES AND ASSESSMENTS

Study on economic and social impact of illegal logging and unsustainable forest practices:

• Started on April 2010.

• Is being carried out by Vasil Gulisashvili

Forest Institute;

• Inception report submitted;

• Stakeholder discussions took place;

STUDIES AND ASSESSMENTS

Study on economic and social

impact of illegal logging and unsustainable forest

Practices(cont.)

• Field work under the Study has already finished;

• Survey of local population and local businesses was conducted in four pilot areas: Tianeti, Sagarejo, Borjomi and Kharagauli regions;

• Analysing of gathered materials is being carried out;

• Final report is being prepared.

COOPERATION WITH OTHER IOs

WWF:

• The initial meeting with representatives of the private logging and wood processing companies;

• Regional Workshop on transboundary timber flow

WB:

• Participation in high level meetings about institutional reform of Forestry Department of the Ministry;

COOPERATION WITH OTHER ONGOING ACTIVITIES

USAID:• USAID funded and GCCW implemented project “Sustainable Forestry in

Georgia: Sustainable Production, Sustainable Consumption” cooperates and co funds IUCN initiated study “Current Forest Management Standards and Practices in Georgia” as well as co-funds the preparation and production of the publication “Forest Harvesting Guidelines” and participates in wide dissemination.

• IUCN ENPI FLEG Georgia cooperates with USAID funded project on the Study on use of Certified Paper in Georgia;

CIM (Centre for International Migration)• German “Centrum fur Internationale Migration (CIM)” through its returned

experts program is co-financing Ms. Marika Kavtarishvili, ENPI-FLEG Country Communications Coordinator, and supporting the implementation of the Program in Georgia.

ENPI FLEG GEORGIAN TEAM

Our involvement on different events:• Discussions on Environmental Code of Georgia;• Discussions on NEAP (National Environmental Action Plan) Georgia – forestry part;• Cooperation with Vasil Gulisashvili Forest Institute of Georgia;• Stakeholder discussions at various environmental NGOs of Georgia;•Meeting with private forest business – license holders.• Cooperation with Media: Regional Broadcasters’ Association;• Participation in discussions over upcoming institutional reform of Forestry Department of the Ministry - Ministry consults PCT and asks support from FLEG in reform implementation; • Participation in donor coordination meeting involved in forestry sector;

Thank You!